I was wondering if anyone had a good way to split a torso in half. I've tried boiling, scoring and using needle nose pliars, but ended up haveing to dremel the body in half, luckily I only needed the legs. But on my next victim, I need his torso, so I can't mutilate it. I'm trying to split a Kamino Escape Jengo Fett. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know...I'm kinda at a road block here.

I just split a Kamino Jango Fett a few days ago. What I did was soak it in a cup of hot water for 3 or 4 minutes, pop out the arms, insert a pair of needle nosed pliers into the shoulder hole (make sure they're closed when you insert them), and then open up the pliers to pop the torso apart. This should work fine with little to no damage to the figure.

If you are nervous, you can score the seams of the figure with your X-Acto knife. Gently cut along the seams of the torso so that they will be easier to split apart.

I use a modelling knife to cut torso's in half what I do is find where the seams are and then get the knife and start to push down into the seam and with a little effort the seam will give way and then you slowly go around the torso till it's completely apart.

This is something a lot of people debate what works and what doesn't Dre, but my method's worked 90% of the time... I do break a torso now and then though, but I know of no perfect technique every time... When you work at scoring the seam, it leaves marks I don't care for so I tend to prefer a break with needlenose pliars.

I'll walk you through what I use, and how I do the technique as best I can... As always too, if you're looking for some good explanations on basic (and more advanced too) techniques, check out www.FFURG.com (http://www.FFURG.com) because there's tutorials on our site that are just there to help including separating figures.

That said.....

I bought a cheap chinese made set of detail work pliars at Sears. They're a must-have. They're sturdy, but about half the price of a US made craftsman set. You can't get them replaced like the craftsman ones though, so when you break 'em you buy a new set, but they're cheap enough I suggest having a set even if you have a craftsman set. These are good for your dirty work, so to speak.

The set has like two wire cutters of different head styles, some gripper needle-nose, etc... But the set I use most is the LONG thin needlenose pliars, they're best for torso splits because they give you leverage for yanking torso's apart, but they also are long and tapered, and very thin, so what I often try first is sliding the figure's arm hole down the pliars and watching for any stressing of the plastic... Sometimes it'll break clean as can be just by doing this, sometimes not.

Now, here's the deal...

Step 1: Boil & pop figure completely (this is just what I do, if you don't need the legs popped so be it... I pop everything so I'm workign with a clean slate)

Step 2: Take the torso (now head and armless). Depending on how thin the figure is, I sometimes dremel the post in the center of the torso. The post that helps hold it together. At times this is fused itself and makes a pop hard to accomplish cleanly, other times it's just because I can fit the pliars down in easier INTO the torso because there's no post.

If you wanted, you could do this with every figure but be careful as the friction from the dremel bit can distort the neck hole while you're trying to dremel-cut the post inside... I use a grinding bit to do this btw, it cuts through plastic with less melting.

Step 3: As I noted, I often slide the torso down the pliars (they're closed btw), and slowly watch for stressing at USUALLY the middle-back, or around the arm-holes. As I said as well, sometimes a figure pops apart just by doing this. I popped something the other day (forget now) and this is what happened. Clean as can be pop. Other figures are tougher though... For instance, a female Jedi Stass Allie's torso became problematic for me at one time. Was a real bitch to cleanly get her torso apart due to the thinness of the plastic.

Step 4: So if it doesn't break cleanly and you're just not lucky with above, you can slide the pliars into the neck hole... If you left the post in tact and didn't cut it, I tend to try to have dremeled the post area so the pliars are wedged into the cut between the two post halves. This acts as a brace, and a good center point for popping the figure apart. Case in point, I did this with the Saga Endor Rebel Soldier because he has a thinner torso, and I had to cut the post.

Step 5: Once you get the pliars inside the torso sufficiently (I usually try to get them as far down itno the neckhole as possible for leverage), now it's time to yank the figure apart... What I generally do, since parts will fly, is I try to cover the torso with a rag, and I do this kneeling on the floor... I YANK the pliars apart hard. I even build up to it with 3 breaths (laugh all you want, but timing this so you yank this open quickly and with good force is important).

Yanking the pliars open is the tough part, and this is more or less the moment of truth. If done right I've got a great success rate with very few misses. Breaks happen, but they're rare and usually because I didn't sufficiently weaken the figure by cutting the post or some such when I knew I should have. Live and learn.

Now, I will say that I've gotten where I can just judge if a figure will break by me shoving the pliars into the arm socket forcefully too. This has worked for me at times...

I'd give cracking some torso's like this a go by practicing on cheap figures. Saga Endor Rebels are a tougher nut to crack so after you try maybe a POTF2 POnda Baba, I'd give a Saga Endor Rebel a go... Just practice a little, you'll likely have a use for the parts anyway.

I've always found that using an xacto knife to slice the post inside the chest cleanly is more effective because then you can still glue it back together afterward. Just slip the blade in throught the neck hole and apply nice constant even pressure. It will seem like nothing's happening at first, and then it will slice through.

When I attach a pair of legs to a torso, I don't split it up the middle- I just cut the figs in half and superglue the torso and legs together. I don't really understand what you're trying to do, though...

You know, I've done customs since the POTF2 line was considered new, and I completely forgot about using an x-acto to cut thru the center peg. That's gonna be my next trick tonight. Thanks to everyone that took a few minutes to lend a hand. It's appreciated.

Thanks again

Dre

P.S. I'll update on how the custom is going once I get the ball rolling.

This is one aspect of Customizing i just plain suck at. I break every friggin torso I try to crack >:( Now I just use scews and cylindrical Pieces of Plastic to fashion Pegs to fit the appendages onto the Torso I'm using.

If only Star Wars figs where put together like Joes life would be much easier, But the Sculpts would suck.

Thanks for all the help again guys...I'll keep this one updated as it progresses.

Dre

Title: Re: Splitting a torso in two...***Updated with WIP pics!!***
Post by: Jesse James on February 4, 2006, 03:28 AM

It's shaping up pretty good so far. You're going for Jango or Boba? Or a wholely new Mandalorian?

I always sorta gasp for breath when I see XD figures cut up (I collect them along with SW) but they make probably the best fodder out there. Their sculpts closest match the Star Wars line while BBI's detail surpasses Hasbro so limbs tend to not blend in as well using the Elite Force line.

The XD line looks great though,r eally nice work... Those OMG Para's just started shipping but they have just that much more fodder to use.

I'm still kinda at a loss of what I'm actually going to create. I don't know if I want to go with Ghez Hokan from the 1st Republic Commando book, or just go with a random Mando warrior. I'm also thinking about swappng the current arms out and replacing them with a SA Clone Troopers arms, as to get more articulation. Does anyone know if the Jango torso and the arms are very compatiable? Thanks for the comments Jesse.

oh, and PS: Does that boba fett (I assume it's from the new saga collection one) have pegholes in the feet?

Yes, yes he does. I don't really have much for fodder, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to come up with a jacket for Hokan. I may attempt it without though. I just need to find a coupla rifles that are similar to the ones he's described carrying by Guta the Weequay. The Verpine Shatter gun may go either way in difficulty...any hints are gladly appreciated.

Hey everyone, back again with some new pics. I decided not to go with the Boba and Jango arms, and opted to use a SA Clones arms as to keep with the SA I have in the legs. I had to mangle the Clone as well(gotta do what you gotta do, huh Chewie?), but I got the arms out. The pegs were too small for the arm holes, so I had to sure them up with some sculpey. I cured it in boiling water, and I think I'm good to go for a while. I'm still trying to decide if I want to go with a random Mondo warrior, or make him Ghez Hokan from the 1st Rep. Commando book. Any feelings on this? Questions, gripes, comments...let them fly!!

Oh yeah...on with the pics....

The first one here is the new arms after coming out of the water...the shoulders look wide, but they aren't in person.(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/newarms1.jpg)

Next is a better pic of the new pouch I put on his backside(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/newarmspouch.jpg)

Even though this gun sucks it kinda looks cool on him(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/newarmsbiggun.jpg)

This is a full shot wiht him and his bucket...I may be removing the antenna...I'm not sure.(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/newarmsfull.jpg)

Ok folks...I have made a few decisions on the color scheme of this Mando. But I was wondering what some people would think...so I'm putting up the final two choices I've come to. Gold armor and black jumpsuit or Red armor and tan jump suit. Lets see those votes!!

Here are a coupla guns I've come up with. One, obviously is an Arc style pistol. I like the look of it a lot though, so I may incorprate it into my back story of him once I figure everything out.

Here we are, the work place...I'm surprised there wasn't any bloodshed :P

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/thGuns1.jpg) (http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Guns1.jpg)Next is the big gun I put together...it is pretty big, but I like the look of it...

Just wanted to let everyone know that I haven't been able to get much done on my Mando lately. My wife and I are going to have a baby, and we had to take care of some...issues we had. I should finish up he head, and start painting(at least a primer coat) by the weekend. I'm going Red armor, and black jumpsuit, kinda like the Mando Deathwatch Bloodguard. I hope to get some pictures up soon enough.

The mando is comming along great the new pouches you've added look good and the better then I fisrt thought. The gun now that is one mean piece of equipment looks excellent so far and for the colour scheme I vote for the red on tan look I think giving him a tan junpsuit will tone down the red that way the red wont look to bright.

Funny you should ask. I've been trying(keyword trying)to find the gun that Hasbro used in the picture of the Clone Wars Gunship they have posted. It's actually a GI Joe mini gun from a Roadblock figure, Versions 9, 10 and 11. I've searched high and low for this piece, but to no avail. I have yet to give up hope though, as I'm still scouring the web for it. If any one has an idea as to where I might be able to find it I'm all ears!!

Here's a link to show what the gun, and figure if any of you have one, looks like.Roadblock (http://www.yojoe.com/action/03/roadblock9.shtml)

Here is another ARC I'm working on...my big question is, does the writing look dumb smack on the middle of his forehead?

Um, a little - sorry dude, but you asked. Maybe it'd help if it was in imperial lettering... :DBut the latin lettering just dudn't work... imo.

The fact that it is there at all is fine - the positioning looks fine. :)

I agree with PenDragon, if you are going to letter/number a Star Wars custom, it should be in Aurebesch (or at least a made-up "alien" language ;) ).

BTW- I'm working on that same gatling gun-style blaster using the G.I.Joe gun as a base. I've added a more detailed handle to the top for the gunner's left hand made from a Chap Mei accessory and a drum magazine/powerpack made from part of another G.I.Joe rifle (I believe it is from a figure called "Rock-Viper"). It won't be in the hands of a Clone though, it'll be handled by a custom Sand Pirate :)

I'm also trying to work out the mechanics of the quadgun one, I have some ideas, but nothing concrete yet. When I do, I'll share them with you :)

I'm also trying to work out the mechanics of the quadgun one, I have some ideas, but nothing concrete yet. When I do, I'll share them with you :)

I've seen a couple of Quad-gun customs, and they both used the quad gun from the Millenium Falcon Cd-ROM game that came out in POTF2 era toys. They looked pretty good too. PM me and I'll get you the links.

And in Aurabesh it's a huge improvement, keep us updated... The Aurabesh language is something I think we should see in more customs... A Tattoo on someone's arm, whatever. It shows in the films enough and I've seen it in games from anything from a computer readout to random graffitti on a seedy city's walls. It looks cool when it's snuck into a custom like that.

I agree 100% Jesse. The Aurebesh looks cooler, and it's in a much better spot on the armor. I'm going to give it a bit of weathering, so it doens't look brand new. I'm still looking for a couple of Kamas, so ifanyone has any leads, please let me know. Thanks for all the comments...I'll update later tonight again.

Cool lettering, that's a nice touch. I think I might have to try using those letters for some of my customs. I tried to make lettered-tattoos on my Mandalorian, but it was just random symbols, no Aurebesh.

great job on the weathering its excellant. I'd say done but there are a few lines that need straightened up but no biggy. hey and also where'd you get the aurebrush dictionary or what not i think that would be a nice touch to some of my troops.

I really like these troopers. Nice new, creative paint designs/patterns. Not straying too far from the movie like clones, but they have a nice creative aspect to them. I like the writing on their armor. I like the helmet writung also, as it reminds me of Commander Salvo from the novel Dark Lord. He had "Live to Serve" written on his helmet. Great Job!!!

I really like these troopers. Nice new, creative paint designs/patterns. Not straying too far from the movie like clones, but they have a nice creative aspect to them. I like the writing on their armor. I like the helmet writung also, as it reminds me of Commander Salvo from the novel Dark Lord. He had "Live to Serve" written on his helmet. Great Job!!!

Kind of funny you mentioned Cmd Salvo...I made one of him a while ago.

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/1-2.jpg)

I didn't know about Aurebesh then so I wrote "live to serve" in english on his helmet. I may go back and change it...but I'm not sure if there is enough room for all of it. I designed his markings as I went along...I thought the asymetric looked cool.

But, If I may be so bold as to offer up a suggestion that wasn't asked for:(http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/2799/pshopsalvo7lp.th.jpg) (http://img158.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pshopsalvo7lp.jpg)<-clicky clicky...I just think the helmet looked a little lonely... just my $0.02

My final ARC in the team is the one who started this post. My heavy gunner will have Motir Tome (which means stand together in mando)in aurebesh somewhere on him...I don't know where though. I was thinking on his muzzle, but am not convinced yet. I'm asking for ideas again...please, nothing is a bad suggestion, where do you think it'dlook the best?. I am going to be touching up the pain on the helmet soon...here he is again for reference.

Here are some pics of my almost finished ARC team. The last ARC has Motir Vode on his lower chest armor...it means stand together. You can't see it in these pics, but I'll get better ones soon enough. Just waiting on a couple of kamas and a couple of guns and I should be good to go.

Dude dre great job so far, whats scary is my heavy guy is the same head diff color and body but still weird ive been waiting for bits and peices to show up for months oh-well hes done now but anyway I love the look. The heavy gunner is especialy weathered maybe tone it down a bit.

Thanks for the comment! My theory for the heavily weathered gunner is that the enemy would want to take him out more than the rest, so he gets a lot of debris raining down on him...that or I just got a little carried away. ;D Anyways...kamas are coming soon, and these guys will be ready to kick some sepratist butt.

Here is the next to last update!! I got one Kama in the mail today(thanks again Tom!!), and had it painted and fitted on the ARC Commander by 6pm. This guy is the leader of the group. My heavy gunner will be next as soon as I get his Kama.

As a group they look extremely awesome, I like them on their own but seeing them together shows a more unifying touch for some reason to me, and makes me like the Aurebesh writing seem much more realistic. Great work here. On that missle launcher gun I would think maybe it needs to be painted so it doesn't look like a shiny plastic?

I'm loving the ARC Troopers. They look great. The Commander Gree is awesome, much better than the Hasbro version. The circle on the AT-RT gun straps looks like a comlink or grenade when used in that way. Oh, if you don't want that gunship or Scorch, feel free to send either one my way. ;)

Why does everyone have to talk about that book. I could've gotten it on Friday, but I didn't, and now I keep regretting my decision whenever I read someone talking about how good of a book it is. Arrrgh. >:(

P.S.- I personnally murdered 78 scalpers, and ordered the mass executions of 359 more to get my R4-P17, and had a Star Destroyer wipe out an entire population to get my Utapau warrior. I also raided a flea market with a platoon of Gungan Soldiers to liberate the Shocktroopers and Tactical Ops Troopers, killing all of the scalpers there. I lost all of them on the way out, since this guy by the name of Binks was driing our truck, and yeah, I guess you could peice it together from there.

Why does everyone have to talk about that book. I could've gotten it on Friday, but I didn't, and now I keep regretting my decision whenever I read someone talking about how good of a book it is. Arrrgh. >:(

Oh the carnage. I remember Kit'chn T'able, it was a slaughter. Neither side giving an inch, locked in epic struggle. There were heroes on both sides that day. Our boys almost didnt make it. It was a day I'd never forget. Bodies and cutlery littered the landscape. Oh it was horrible.

But enough reminiscing, I cant get over how well the Gree helmet meshes with the AT-RT body. The ARC team is sweet too, Im going to have to try some of this. Im seeing some really nice clones lately. It almost makes me want to dust off the ones I was working on.

Oh the carnage. I remember Kit'chn T'able, it was a slaughter. Neither side giving an inch, locked in epic struggle. There were heroes on both sides that day. Our boys almost didnt make it. It was a day I'd never forget. Bodies and cutlery littered the landscape. Oh it was horrible.

But enough reminiscing, I cant get over how well the Gree helmet meshes with the AT-RT body. The ARC team is sweet too, Im going to have to try some of this. Im seeing some really nice clones lately. It almost makes me want to dust off the ones I was working on.

This unit had to trudge through endless miles of mashed potatoes swamp, and dense jungles of spaghetti.

Some of you may be surprised to know that the Gree helmet is actually a custom. I had originally intended that figure tobe Gree, but after reading RC:000, I've setteled on Comm Gett. It is simialar to Gree's helmet though.

Zeta Squad was trained in part by Jango Fett, and one of his recruited Cuy’val Dar, Skeer Delp. Skeer named the obvious squad leader after his son Enza. Capt. Enza led his squad of eight in a black ops mission on Jabiim to assassinate Alto Stratus. An ambush cost him more than half of his squad. Zeta was recalled to Courscant to be rebuilt. Enza refused the new members stating, “Zeta squad is an even more dangerous force that is was now that we have our vode memories to fight for.” Skeer reassessed Zeta and found them to be in perfect fighting order.

Capt. Enza carries only one DC-17 blaster. He keeps the two small blasters that fallen team member T-4 (Monac) had used to hold off the oncoming battle droid advance, so Enza and the remaining members could evac. They are unloaded and haven’t been used since.

Lt. Jae is the comm/slicer of Zeta squad. He carries a DC-16 rifle(predecessor to the DC-17 that commandos use), and has more kills(wets and clankers) than his other squad members. He is described as “violent, brutal, but an all around nice troop.” He is trained to use a PLX-style launcher that fires proton torpedos.

Lt. Darviin is the heavy gunner in Zeta. He is the “youngest” member of the squad. He is also trained with the PLX launcher, but doesn’t get much time with it. Darviin considers himself the reborn version of Jango Fett, but with out the personal freedoms Jango enjoyed.

Title: Kal Skirata
Post by: JediDre on March 14, 2006, 10:43 PM

So I've been on this big Republic Commando kick. I've read both books, great reads by the way, and have been taking note of characters that I'd like to do customs of in the future. Of course a Black Matte armored Omeag squad is tops on my list, but thats some time away. Triple Zero is full of great ideas, and I've gone with one. I was enamored by the idea that the Null ARCs and RC squads had a training seargant that would do anything to them. Kal Skirata has this aura about him that just leaps off of the pages and makes you believe that the Clones we see in the movies are more than just "wet battle droids." I had to figure out what I could use to make him. The only picture I've found is on the Wikicities site, and it's not very good. So I am winging it a bit here. So far, I've used three figures. The upper torso and arms is Cpt Panaka from the EP I line, and the legs are from EP III Plo Koon. I love the way the boots look so I had to use them. I spun his belt part backwards so the saber clip isn't seen, but is still visible on the back. The head I lucked into. I had bought a Salvo GI Joe figure for his big ol missle launcher, had him laying around while studying the Kal page at Wikicites, and lo behold, he bore enough resemblence that I went with it. Anywhoo...I'll stop rambling now...here is what I have so far. My wife asked if I was going to leave his one arm blue, I said no, I just don't feel like painting any more tonight. <rambling stops now>

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/KalSkirata.jpg)

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/KalSkirata1.jpg)

Comments, gripes, questions....you know what to do...

Dre

Title: Re: Kal Skirata
Post by: Greg on March 14, 2006, 10:55 PM

Wow. I like what I'm seeing. He looks really good. I suggest painting his hair gray, because I believe he is older and the picture that I have of him has him with gray hair.

Title: Re: Kal Skirata
Post by: JediDre on March 14, 2006, 11:01 PM

My only concern using the head I did is that he looked young compared to what Skirata is in the novels, but I went with it any ways. I'm going to add some grey, and maybe some age lines...I don't know yet.

He really does look like a stern, military commando. Great work on a more casual costume.

Title: Re: Kal Skirata
Post by: JediDre on March 16, 2006, 10:40 PM

Thanks everyone for the great comments!! I think I'm more proud of this custom than I am of my ARCs. I haven't been able to get the rest of Kal painted yet, prepering for Irish Christmas and all. I have a Republic Commando on the way and he's going to be made into a removable helmet, articulated legs, Omega squad commando...which one I'm not sure yet, but I am leaning towards Darman....in the black matte armor. Anyways...thanks again!!

Here are some first shot pics of my Atin WIP. I've gotten his removable helmet painted, and only need a few touch-ups in some places. Putting a Gunner head on him was easier than it seemed, even though I was nervous as all cutting into my only Scorch.

I don't know where the eerie blue shadow came from, I took this in the same light I always use.(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Atin2.jpg)

Everyone know's I love my clones and this is a great one but the only little thing that I would change would be the visor it looks like it could do with some white blue to give it a reflected look but other then that great work.

Big thanks go out to DarthDelicious for being braver than I am and making Scorch have th articulation he should've had in the first place. And also to Glassman, great pieces from a great customizer!

Now, without further ado...

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Atin2-1.jpg)

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Atin2-2.jpg)

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Atin2-3.jpg)

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Atin2-4.jpg)

I know a couple of the pics are kinda blurry..and for that I apologize, but it's been while since I've taken custom pics so I'm a bit rusty. All I have left to paint is the legs, and add a scar, and he'll finally be finished!

Nicely executed removable helmet. I'm currently working on a set of commandos with removable helmets as well. The things that I like about your commando are the blue visor, reminds me for some reason of Vader. Nice looking. The black armor looks cool with the lower calf area in the white stripes. Cool deco.

The weapon is also pretty cool. I like that modified muzzle that you made. Do you plan on making more gear forthis commando? I'd love to see some gear and exras.

Very nice! I congratulate you for being braver than me and adding a removable helmet to an RC. Very good smooth, even coat on the black armor, and your added articulation is great. I would suggest adding some lighter blue on the visor for that reflective look, but still a great job.

Thanks for the comments guys!! I do need to clairify that the leg articulation wasn't done by me. Darth Delicious did it for me, he's braver than I am...so this guy has been on a cross country voyage. I did, however, do the head swap, and the helmet is from Glassman, it's an awesome peice. I'm going to be painting his lower legs soon enough, and need to mod the backpack, and the leg canister thingy. I have a few interm customs going right now, simple part swaps, with some repainting too, and I have a V-Wing pilot in the planning stage as I found an AT-AT driver yesterday at K-Mart. On the subject of the V-Wing pilot, does anyone have any good refrence photos of him? I have the cross section book and it shows a little detail, but I really need more. Anything is helpful

If I remember right, in the FFUG board, some one made one of the Torrents. It was pretty sweet. I'm still looking for a good Ref Pic of the V wing pilot...the one that was made over at FFUG wasn't quite what I was looking for...didn't have the same feel to the one in the cross section book.

That would be me I started a torrent but never finished I did a cardboard mock up but I just don't work well with styrene. Then someone else took up the mantle with getting a Sharc from gi joe and he started making it but never finished, i may go back and revisit it.

Sorry to highjack you thread Dre, but which version of the Torrent do you think looks better, the one for CW cartoon or the one from the behind the scene drawing? I might give this starfighter a shot, but want to know what others thing is better looking.roron corobb

That would be me I started a torrent but never finished I did a cardboard mock up but I just don't work well with styrene. Then someone else took up the mantle with getting a Sharc from gi joe and he started making it but never finished, i may go back and revisit it.

Yep -- I'm the other one working on the project -- still sitting in this unfinished state -- I need to buy PVC tubing for the wing pivots and I've been too lazy to go shopping for it... so here it sits...

Roron-I'm a fan of the Clone Wars version actually...I love those 'toons ;D

Glassman-Thanks for the compliment...I couldn't have done it without you though!!

Gregorbian-Thanks for the compliment on Kal. He was simple, yet a very effective figure. The knee joints are from the 500th Vader. I didn't do the articulation, Darth Delicous did it for me, he's a braver man than I.

tykrazen-That's an awesome start on the Torrent...you should finish that puppy.

Smartypants-His shins aren't painted yet...I like to procrastinate...I've been side tracked by a coupla figures I'm doing for a Fan Fic story about my Arc squad I made.

Lookin' good! I like the ARC a lot, but I would suggest to clean up that chest logo, maybe paint it again to get a better color coat, and to take off the pre-applied weathering, that will make it even better.

The Clone is looking pretty good... I'd work on the chest logo some too (or even remove it, as white still looks good?).

I love that Luke by the way, I made the exact same custom a while back. Good work!

:)

I'd love to see that custom Chewie. I gave Luke a bit ofa wash...to make him look like he's lived years on Tatooine. The clone isn't done yet...the chest is far from done...I just put a first coat on tonight...

I'm sure it's somewhere in a plastic tub with some fodder, next time I run across it, I'll take a pic of it. It was made probably at least 6 years ago, when the Commtech Luke came out, I wanted to give it the arms from the POTF2 Flashback Luke. Then I switched it to give the Flashback look the other one's legs. I switched it back and forth several times. But I never painted mine.

Thanks Roton. He's still got some weathering to go, arms and helmet mostly and that darn kama...I may trim the bottom some. This clone is supposed to be a more 'individual'...if you can have that in the GAR.

Here's a custom I'm making for a fan fic Story of my aAbove Arc squad. Jedi Master K'ron. He's a pretty simple custom, Skiff Lando Head(Slightly modded), Pilot Obi-Wan body, AT-RT Forearms and lower legs, and a Saber hilt from the battle pack Grevious. He's based on a friend of mine at work, Kieron. He's been digging my customs big time, so I thought I'd give him one to really like. I may post the Fan Fic in this thread if that's cool with everyone?

Hey! It's great to see that a lando head with the moustache dremeled of, looks so difirently. I saw the pics first, and had to read the recipe befor I could place the origin of the head. Very cool jedi dude, keep up the great work!

Thanks Kit! I actually used an x-acto to get the 'stache off. THe hardest part was getting the color on the neck right for the skin tone. I would like to take some off the sides of his head as well...get rid of some of that '80's fro. The paint looks sloppy on the shoulder joint, but it's that or else it chips from the slightest movement in there. I had to cannabalize my Clone War Obi Wan to make him, but I'm glad I did.

Awesome Jedi! I never would have recognized the head if it weren't for other members identifying it. I love the simplicity of this figure. Simplicity should NEVER be mistaken for easy! You've crafted a nice Clone Wars Jedi- i.e. great parts selection, clean paint aps, overall execution is very well done!

Outrider, you are so right. Simple doesn't mean easy. I had to sand down the head post on the Obi-Wan body and keep trying the head on to make sure he didn't look freakish. That took an hour or so...all the while my wife looking on like I'm torchering a puppy. I'm still working on him a little, I want to shave the sides of that fro down some...but am kinda scared to do so... Anyways...thanks again for the comment!!

So, while waiting for my wife to give birth(Due on last Friday...still waiting...), I've been writing a fan fic about the Arc squad that I've done on here. I've introduced a pilot to the group, though he's not an Arc like the rest, he is like their own personal chauffer, so he feels like he's part of the team. I've named him Dead Eye, and not because he's a good shot, he's got a dead eye, simple huh? These pics are the first stages of the project. Painting, weathering, and general adjustments are in line in the next few days...granted nothing comes up.

Head & helmet cast thanks go out to Glassman, he's great to work with!(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Dead4.jpg)

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Dead1.jpg)

Few simple mods here make him stand out from the rest of the clones out there. I may add some other do dads here and there.(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Dead2.jpg)

I love how the same camera at the same angle in the same lighting can have one picture come out SO different from the rest...nice odd orange wash here.(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Dead3.jpg)

I was actually thinking of painting him in a yellow scheme similar to the Arc squad he 'taxis' around. I need to paint the head cast so I'm working on mixing upa skin tone for him that's like the actual figures. Thanks for the comments!!

I think he's comming along great Dre, the air bubbles are exactly why i gave it to you for free.If you lightly sand the helmets with some fine grain sand paper, and then add another coat, those bubles should fill right in.

I think he's comming along great Dre, the air bubbles are exactly why i gave it to you for free.If you lightly sand the helmets with some fine grain sand paper, and then add another coat, those bubles should fill right in.

That's a good idea Glassman, I will try that. Yeah, my 9month, 1week pregnant wife did the eyes and such, and she told me her normally steady hand wasn't so steady tonight. Thanks guys!

So I was able to pick up a Death Star Gunner today and was delighted to see he had a clone head under that giant helmet of his. So I got to brain storming, and came up with what I call a First Generation Imperial Black Ops trooper. These are a couple of WIP pics. He'll have the removable chest armor the gunner comes with and a clone helmet soon enough.

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/GARComm.jpg)

The gun is courtesy of Ruprecht, great guy, great products. The best part is it fits in the holster!!(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/GARGun.jpg)

The more I look at it the odder his feet look. I may have to do something about that...as for stealing the idea, they say flattery is the greatest comliment, so go for it! I need to find a few more of this guy as he's a great figure alone!

After careful consideration...mostly from my wife...I have taken the armor off the legs. The bad part is I drilled holes for the pegs in the armor to go into...so I may do one of two things here... a) find new lower legs. or b) fill the holes with a dab of sculpy and paint over it. I like the new leg idea better...so I may go that route...but I have to look through my fodder as I don't have too much.

So I bought some stuff from Good to Go Customs...good stuff, one helmet was a bit thin, but I digress. I purchased the Bacara helemet with the thought of doing a different commander, not Bacara...but then KB Toys had their buy two get one free sale...and good ol 1138 was on the pegs, so I picked him up, along with the new Saga Sandtrooper, who'da thought they wore italian loafers in a galaxy far far away...anyways...here's the GTG helmet painted, with a paper clip replacing the antenna...

That visor was a pain in the rear...(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Bacara2.jpg)

YOu can't see the antenna in practicaly any of these photos, but I promise it is there...(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Bacara1-1.jpg)

See! See! You can glimpse part of it over his noggin'!!(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Bacara3.jpg)

I'm in the process of modding a Evo body to look like Bacara...lotsa little painting...

I'm back to my Imperial Commando. I've painted his helmet, and have removed the shin guards. I have Vader lower legs, but used the knee joints to make a Scorch the way he shoulda been. The helmet is a Good to Go cast, it was a bit thin, but the paint helps a lot. I'm going to make the visor like the Republic Commando with the color fading to white at the bottom.

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Imp1.jpg)

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Imp2.jpg)

Questions, comments, gripes...keep them to yourself...er...send them to me....

Nice combo of body and helmet!I really like that red for the visor.(I just wish I could locate some Imperial Gunners... They only show up when I am completely broke...starting to really irritate the heck out of me.)

I just finished reading the secon book in the Legacy of the Force series, Bloodlines. I loved the Galactic Alliance Guard that was formed to "protect" Courscant. The first custom here is my interpretation of what they look like. They're described as having black fatigues with black armor, they do have a helmet, but it isn't described well, so I don't have one for him yet.

This guy here has been a long time coming. I've had about 4 different pairs of arms on him and none looked right to me...these still kinda don't.

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Mando2-1.jpg)

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Mando2-2.jpg)

Made from:Kamino Escape Jango torsoCmd Cody armsSaga2 Boba Fett legs, belt modded with Clone Troop belt partsThe head is a mixof the Cody neck post(suprisingly easy to get off) and the new Death Star Gunner head

Like I said, he's been around for a while, but I'm finally happy with what I've done to him.

That mandalorian has a very interesting selection of parts. When repainted should look really cool!

I like the security guy. The DSgunner works great for so many customs. After finaly finding my four gunners I played arround with various other parts combining with that of the DSgunner and found it to be great!I like the gun. That from G2G?

How does that helmet work with the head? I mean...is it compatible or merely an accessory?

The Mando helmet fits quite well on the DSG head. The head hole is a bit big for the Codt post so I added a bit of fun-tac on the inside andthe head sit perfectly. He is in desperate need of a paint job, and I'm throwing ideas around in my head for a backstory.

I've been picking up the Republic graphic novels one at a time and was very impressed with the character A'Sharad Hett, especially his interaction with Anakin. I put together a quick, but effective customs of Hett. The Main Torso is Saga Obi-Wan, the hands are VOTC Tusken Raider as are the lower legs and head, and the sabers are from two different Grevious figures. My wife is going to be making a braid for him soon enough and my plan is to make interchangeable heads, so he can be masked and not. My apologies for the second picture as it is a bit fuzzy.

In the early years of the empire, the military knew that their troops were easily replaceable, so their first generation Commandos were lightly armored, for two reasons. The first that thye told the troops was for easier movement. The second, that wasn't on the record, was to keep their budget down. The first few commandos wore simple armor, sometimes with reinforced plates over top. Later they adopted the stormtrooper armor as a whole.

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Commando2.jpg)

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Commando3.jpg)

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Commando1.jpg)

A simple part swap of a custom.Body is entirely a blue Imperial GuardHead is a GTG DSG cast, surprisingly it fit near perfect on the neck post.The helmet is a GTG commando cast with a GTG range finder addition.The gun is from the POTF Endor trooper, I love this gun.And the armor is obviously from a DSG.

A paint scheme is next, and I'm leaning towards black with charcoal highlights on the armor. The head will be painted by Mrs Steady hand, my wife.

Gripes? Man, that's the cleanest custom I've seen! What are the casts made up of?

I'm not exactly sure what they cast their stuff with at Good to Go Customs. But their stuff is top niotch. I have a bunch of stuff that I haven't even used yet, and not sure what I'll be doing with it. But the more fodder the better, right? Thanks for the comments. I might get to painting him tonight, but I'm not sure. If not it'll be tomorrow or so. I'm thinking of painting his helmet black, with red eyes. Thoughts on that?

I've added some detail to Fordo's helmet, and finished some more painting here and there. The only thing I'm unhappy with is the belt. Fordo has only one pack on the left side, and I was unsure how(read- nervous to cut his belt and screw it up) I should go about patching it. I'm waiting on a holster and for GTG to get a certain pistol back in stock that I want to use as his backup weapon.

The details look great, JediDre. I like the black lines and small insignias on the helmet. As for the belt: maybe you could make our own from a strip of vinyl sheet, like Outrider does? You could glue all the little extras on that then, except that second ammo pack.

The paint looks a bit dull, though. I think Fordo needs a semi-gloss varnish on his armor. :)

Here is what will probably be the final stage of my Gen 1 Imp Commando. I was going to paint the armor on the Royal Guard body, but decided to go with the blue paint scheme. The helmet was a last minute decision as I didn't want to have the same ol solid look as the regular stormie helms do. The photos are both with and without the additional armor.

Cmd Kellen was assigned to lead the 713th division in the GAR. A heavily armed unit, the 713th was unknown until the Republic became the first Galactic Empire. The unit was one of the first to touch down on Jabiim being entrusted to pilot the prototype AT-AT's that were deployed there. Commander Kellen was always one of the first of his troops to fire upon the enemy. Hot headed, and trigger happy made Kellen loved and hated by his men. His motto was, "go hard, go first." And he lived by this. He lost his left hand in a joint effort with Theta squad, accidently getting between Master K'ron and his quarry. He shunned a robotic hand saying it would make him, "more like the enemy," that he wished to be. Instead he replaced his hand with a vibroblade. Kellen recived additional training after Geonosis under Alpha 17 to learn ARC techniques and style.

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Kellen.jpg)

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Kellen2.jpg)

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Kellen3.jpg)

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Kellen4.jpg)

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Kellen5.jpg)

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Kellen6.jpg)

Kellen is made from: Evo Clone bodyCody head and HelmetSaga Sandtrooper Pauldron#41 Belt with DSG holster and blaster addedBackpack is Scorch, modded heavily and a Comtech Stormie rifle.

Most of the painting was done by myself, I asked my wife to paint the straps on his feet and she did a lot of touch ups all around.

niiice...ive never hear of the 713th before..did you come up with it yourself or is it in one of the novels?...paint sceme is veeeeery similar to the 802nd (my own clone legion)....i like this custom...though id have gone with a different pouldren (i highly doubt that is spelt right)...keep up the good work

Very cool. I like the combination of parts you got. That and the brick red for something other than a galactic marine is cool too. The Gen 1 Imp Commando also has a very good combo on parts. I like the grey on the helmet.

niiice...ive never hear of the 713th before..did you come up with it yourself or is it in one of the novels?...paint sceme is veeeeery similar to the 802nd (my own clone legion)....i like this custom...though id have gone with a different pouldren (i highly doubt that is spelt right)...keep up the good work

The 713th and it's Commander are a tribute to my son Kellen Anakin, born July 13th. I was trying to come up with a name for him and I though why not Kellen, he could be a pod mate of Keller. I may be making additional troops to go with Kellen, but I'm not sure. I went with the pauldron because I thought it would make him stand out more than other clones would.

Very cool. I like the combination of parts you got. That and the brick red for something other than a galactic marine is cool too. The Gen 1 Imp Commando also has a very good combo on parts. I like the grey on the helmet.

The Commando I made was a long time coming. I had the GTG helmets, and just didn't know what I wanted to do with them, but then I found a blue royal guard and remembered the armor they had underneath the cloak. THe DSG head fits wonderfully on the guard peg.I may give him an additional weapon, but probably not, as I believe I'm done with him for the time being.

My latest project is a Legacy era Jacen Solo. I don't have much for head fodder, so I'm going to be going with a ROTS Obi-Wan head with the beard shaved off, it makes a big difference on the overall look. I'll post some pics perhaps tomorrow.

Great b/g story for Kellen, which is a great figure, Dre. And having him named after your son, really puts the finishing touch to this already excellent figure. I like the colour scheme very much, very subtle.

I'm anxious to see your version of Jacen. Obi-Wan's head can look totally different with even the slightest change to his beard.

So it's been a while...but I've gotten some time to do some customizing...and here's the fruits of my labor...

Alpha 22 'Kandosii'

Alpha 22 was in stasis until the downturn of the Clone wars. The Kaminoians felt he too was flawed because of his love for all things 'old'. He wanted to use older kit, older weaponry, older armor. It wasn't a flaw, 22 just felt more at home with tried and tested equipment. After being refused the armor request, he settled on carrying only a DC-12, a heavier more accurate version of the clones favorite blaster. When removed from stasis he was assigned the take on leadership of Theta squad after the assumed death of the current Captain, Enza. His gruff demeanor, and overly aggressive tactis clashed at first with the rest of the squad. He chastised them for the mando'a writing on their armor and requested they removed it feeling it tarnished the image of the GAR, the team refused, and that was the last he brought it up after he saw them in action. Alpha 22 lead the team on a raid deep within Sepratist held space, and succeeded in destroying a droid factory, and stopping yet another biological weapon, but at a cost to the team.

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Alpha6.jpg)

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Alpha7.jpg)

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/Alpha8.jpg)

So he's obviously WIP, I painted him my normal Apple Barrel Dutch Blue(a personal favorite), had to re-apply his chest piece, modded the pauldron, added the pack from it to his kama and gave his gun, DC-12, a quick wash of metallic silver. He's starting to look alive, but I'm still at a loss for helmet details, and I really HATE painting the kama, so that'll be last.

So I've been complaining to some people that I've gotten all this fodder, and can't think of anything to do with it. So tonight I made myself sit down and come up with something. This first is a what I'm calling a special op's ARC, or spec-op for short.

Rarely used, and if so under highly classified circumstances, the Spec-ops are lightly armed, yet extremely deadly. This particular Spec-op, Parvo(yes after the animal sickness, its the first thing I could think of) is one of three that actually survived through the entire Clone War era. As the spec-ops don't have a long life expectancy, they have usually been disavowed by the GAR.(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/NewArc.jpg)

These next two are part of my ever growing squad, the 1205th. One is quite comeplete, the other is still awaiting a few more bits.

The left is a jet trooper, the right is the squads comm man.(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/1205new.jpg)

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/1205new2.jpg)

Close up of the jet pack I made. As you can see it's nothing more than a bunch of left over Scorch parts and some other odds and ends I had in my fodder box.(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/Cpthowdy758/1205jet.jpg)

Both need weathering and the comm man is going to get Neyo's pauldron soon enough. Paint needs to be cleaned up, and second and third coats applied. I've been sitting on these guys for quite some time, just haven't had the umph to get them up.

So, yeah...you know what to do...comments, questions, gripes...throw them at me.